Nursery World - In brief... (23)

Protecting the Foundation Stage from 'top down' pressure is the aim of a petition signed by more than 2,500 people, including senior managers, primary headteachers and nursery nurses across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The petition, which was launched by early years consultant Margaret Edgington several months ago, has also been brought to the attention of the House of Commons by Mrs Edgington's local MP, Liberal Democrat Bob Russell. He said, 'The petitioners are concerned that some practitioners are being hindered in their attempts to implement the principles of the Foundation Stage.

The petition, which was launched by early years consultant Margaret Edgington several months ago, has also been brought to the attention of the House of Commons by Mrs Edgington's local MP, Liberal Democrat Bob Russell. He said, 'The petitioners are concerned that some practitioners are being hindered in their attempts to implement the principles of the Foundation Stage.

'They feel there is a lack of continuity of approach and of expectation from the new Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1, and that the expectation for children's achievements in years one and two are incompatible with the Early Learning Goals at the end of the Foundation Stage.' Mrs Edgington said the petition, which calls for all primary headteachers, advisers and consultants to receive specialist guidance on the Foundation Stage and to stop it being required to implement the literacy and numeracy strategies, merely set out what has been proposed for the Welsh education service. She said, 'The Government has introduced a brilliant Foundation Stage which must now be properly implemented and built on in Key Stage 1.'

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